Doctors prescribe CPAP for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. By using CPAP, patients can expect to experience deeper sleep with fewer interruptions and to wake up feeling more refreshed. New CPAP users may have difficulty acclimating to therapy and may experience some side effects.
Mask Fit
According to Metrohealth Center for Sleep Medicine, to wear CPAP comfortably, the CPAP mask must fit properly. The CPAP mask should make an air-tight seal in the places it contacts your face. The mask straps should be tight enough to prevent dislocation with movement during sleep. However, it should not be so tight that it damages the skin. It is normal to have light pressure marks after wear, but they should disappear within a few hours. CPAP masks come in different styles and sizes. Talk with your sleep doctor or medical supply company to make sure your mask fits well and you are wearing it correctly.
Heated Humidification
Dryness is one of the most common problems expressed by CPAP users. According to sleep expert Dr. Helene Emsellem on Sleepfoundation.org, heated humidity usually manages this problem. Using a heated humidifier improves dryness by applying warm air to the hose and mask, thus improving moisture in the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
Heated humidifiers, which are available through medical supply companies, attach directly to your CPAP machine. You can adjust humidification settings on your unit. In dryer climates, a higher setting may be needed, whereas a lower setting is more comfortable in a humid season or climate.
Ramp Setting
When you first start using CPAP, you may experience pressure intolerance at your therapeutic pressure. A ramp setting addresses this problem by allowing you to fall asleep with your CPAP at a lower pressure. After you fall asleep, the machine ramps the pressure up to the goal setting over a designated time period.
A ramp setting includes a starting pressure and a ramp time. For example, let's say the therapeutic pressure prescribed by your doctor is 10 cm water. A ramp setting might start at 4 cm water, then increase to the therapeutic pressure of 10 cm water over 20 minutes. Ramp times vary between five minutes and one hour. If you have trouble tolerating your pressure, ask your doctor how to adjust the ramp setting on your CPAP machine.
Relaxation
Some users experience claustrophobia or feel like they are being suffocated when they wear CPAP. Because of this, they may develop negative associations or anxiety with use. Pairing relaxing music or a relaxing visual image with short intervals of CPAP use can help you counteract negative associations and feel more at ease with CPAP.
Don't Give Up
Many CPAP users experience some form of discomfort at some time during use. Discuss any obstacles with your doctor because many of these challenges have simple solutions. Reaching a comfort level with CPAP is a product of experience and getting to the point where using it feels like a routine part of the day.
